Formal Registers & Advanced Grammar

po / opo

polite particle / polite yes

poh / oh-poh

Po added to sentences shows respect to elders and strangers

ho / oho

polite particle (softer variant)

hoh / oh-hoh

Regional/stylistic variant of po/opo

Kumusta po kayo?

How are you? (respectful)

koo-moos-tah poh kah-yoh

Kayo plus po = respectful address to one elder or group

Pakiusap.

Please. (request)

pah-kee-oo-sahp

Paki- prefix on verbs = please do X

Paki-abot ng tubig.

Please pass the water.

pah-kee-ah-bot nahng too-big

Paki- plus verb root = polite request

Binibigyan niya ako ng pagkain.

He/She is giving me food.

bee-nee-big-yan nee-yah ah-koh

-an suffix marks locative or beneficiary focus verb

Nakikita ko ang problema.

I can see the problem.

nah-kee-kee-tah koh ahng prob-leh-mah

Naka- plus incomplete aspect = ability or sensory perception

Kung pwede sana.

If only it were possible.

koong pweh-deh sah-nah

Sana expresses hope or wish; kung = if

Maraming salamat po.

Thank you very much (respectful).

mah-rah-ming sah-lah-maht poh

Marami = many/much; standard polite closing

Ingat ka.

Take care.

ee-ngaht kah

Common farewell; ingat = care/caution